Sheep Impact (2011)

And here we are, at the very very last point of the journey for the time being. The career of Steven Seagal has contained a number of ups and downs but the second decade of the 21st century shows signs that he may not be ready to shuffle off and retire just yet. The movies may not, overall, have improved immensely but they HAVE improved and he's also had some small roles in some very good fare. One such goodie would be Machete. The other would be this short, an advert for beer that packs more entertainment and humour into four minutes than our martial arts hero has managed to fit into his last five starring vehicles.

I'm sure there are many people who will roll their eyes and think less of me for reviewing an advert but what the hell . . . . . . . . people have rolled their eyes out me for doing a lot worse than this. And I maintain that this is more than just an advert, this is a perfectly formed gem of a short film.

Two young men are heading to a party when they run into some trouble. That trouble revolves around a sheep that Seagal doesn't want to see die. Oh, and Seagal isn't playing Seagal. He's a typical young Australian lad. By way of Steven Seagal.

Somehow, four people all worked together to write this. That's one person for each minute of screentime. Director Brendan Gibbons was also one of the writers but I'm not going to complain about the numbers because it looks like everyone managed to work together to get the tone of the humour and the quality of the whole thing just right.

Okay, it's not essential viewing if you're the sort of Seagal fan who just fast forwards through any scenes that don't feature him cracking skulls but it's great fun for those able to enjoy the absurdity of it all. And, once again (as rare as it is), it's nice to see that Seagal actually HAS a sense of humour.

8/10.

Watch Sheep Impact here.

In Society (1944)

It might not have been the smoothest shoot ever compared to many other Abbott & Costello movies but, regardless of that fact, In Society stands up as yet another of the better outings for our comedy duo. It mixes some standard fast-talking exchanges with a number of hilarious set-pieces and some fun stunt work in the second half.

Bud and Lou are a pair of pretty incompetent plumbers for this outing. They end up being called out to a big job during a fancy dress party and get a lift from their friend, Elsie Hammerdingle (a female cab driver, played by Marion Hutton). Elsie is spotted by rich bachelor Peter Evans (Kirby Grant), who won't believe that she is actually a cab driver, and a relationship develops. Events conspire to get everyone attending another high society party where a valuable painting catches the eye of a greedy criminal, Lou has a thrilling time taking part in a fox hunt and everyone may well be revealed for who they really are.

Directed by Jean Yarbrough (with a couple of major scenes directed by an uncredited Erle C. Kenton), In Society showcases two stars at the height of their success, in my opinion. Bud and Lou probably won't win you over if you've never liked their style but the same can be said of almost any other comic talent of the era (and, indeed, of any era). They managed to create two comic personas that they could then slip on like a tailor-made suit and their movies really became more entertaining as the performances seemed to become easier and easier.

Marion Hutton and Peter Evans are perfectly fine in their supporting roles, while Margaret Irving, Ann Gillis, Arthur Treacher, Thomas Gomez and Murray Leonard also do very good work with a variety of characters all displaying a variety of upbringings and personal goals.

The script, involving a number of folk including the constant A & C companion John Grant, has very few weak patches and more than its fair share of absolutely brilliant moments, with the best being the whole skit about "The Susquehanna Hat Company". Even the few musical numbers are enjoyable and don't overstay their welcome.

Fans will most certainly want to see this one and will, most likely, enjoy it as much as I did.

8/10.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Film-Box-Set-Costello-Privates/dp/B000PMGRN2/ref=sr_1_8?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1328566234&sr=1-8